NE...I realize that, as I stated I used the form for Africa...I was just trying to figure out what the form does for a traveler to Canada and whether or not it is worth the hassle of me trying to get one signed to go to Canada.

LRH270, regardless if what he said was BS, not having the form could result in a real pain in the ass. Not worth the risk considering getting the form is not that difficult. Like I said, that is the first time that I have been asked to show it and I was glad that I had it with me.

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
NE...I realize that, as I stated I used the form for Africa...I was just trying to figure out what the form does for a traveler to Canada and whether or not it is worth the hassle of me trying to get one signed to go to Canada.

I think you should have it even if it is never asked for. It could avoid a lot of hassles in the long run.

Here's my dilema: 150 miles (2.5-3 hours) each way to get the formed signed. At .40 a mile that's $120. How much duty will they charge me? I don't think there are any "hassles" other than having to pay duty. I am going to take the receipt from the purchase of my rifle, Leicas, camera, and GPS and call it good. The receipts should show original ownership and that is the whole point of the form anyway correct?

Here's another question...Could I take the form with me to the border and stop at the US side first, get the form signed then proceed to Canada?

For my trip to Africa next year, I am going to have a signed form, but I leave for Canada a week from Monday and don't know when I would get a form signed at this point.

You really need to get the forms for the guns regardless of the hassle. As for binos, cameras, etc. it's much less important as virtually every tourist has them and they are very seldom checked and if they are, if yours are like mine, its pretty easy to see that they are "used".
Also, it's easy to have issues. In coming back from Tanz just last week I had to clear customs in Detroit while enroute to San Francisco. When checking my guns and forms the young customs agent said he didn't think the "stamp" on the forms was correct (they were from the customs office at the Port of Oakland and evidently the stamp from ports of entry differ from a regular customs office, say at a border or at an airport), there were a few tense moments before a more "seasoned" officer took a look and said they were fine.

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
Here's my dilema: 150 miles (2.5-3 hours) each way to get the formed signed. At .40 a mile that's $120. How much duty will they charge me? I don't think there are any "hassles" other than having to pay duty. I am going to take the receipt from the purchase of my rifle, Leicas, camera, and GPS and call it good. The receipts should show original ownership and that is the whole point of the form anyway correct?

Here's another question...Could I take the form with me to the border and stop at the US side first, get the form signed then proceed to Canada?

For my trip to Africa next year, I am going to have a signed form, but I leave for Canada a week from Monday and don't know when I would get a form signed at this point.

You are correct, but...
The 4457 is ONLY to show that you had the items BEFORE you left the country and so do not owe duty on them when you return PERIOD. It does not prove ownership at all so technically if you have a bill of sale, reciept, etc., you do not need the 4457. BUT if you run into a customs agent who has a rectal/cranial insertion, you may get hassled and many foreign customs agents want to see a 4457 because they trust anything that looks official from the US Gov. I would make the drive just to avoid the hassle. How much are your firearms/time worth?

I would take the time trouble to get the 4457.

It is one thing to have to pay a duty on a camera you took with you, and you are bringing it back, but as weird as it can get with guns, if "they" thought you were trying to bring back a gun illegally you just might spend the night in jail... Ane be married before the morning.

Stranger things have happened.

Get the GOVERNMENT form 4457.

Does anyone know if this form is necessary to get your Zambian firearms license?

I am leaving on the 12th of Sep and will try to get to customs this weekend. I have already sent Make, Model, Caliber, serial number of my rifles to Laura DuPlooy which I assumed she needed to apply for the firearms permits.

Andy

FWIW.....I was told by the customs agents in Omaha that upon returning to the US any goods you have purchased (of value) overseas you must pay a duty on.....but only if you claim having purchased it overseas or if the gov't can prove you purchased it overseas.....or in other words.....the form isn't needed upon returning to the US

That said:

Some other countries will accept it as proof of ownership of firearms and other valuables......and in this light the form is incredibly valuable as you may be required to show proof of ownership of your rifle(s)

One more thought.....upon returning to the USA you just may run into a horses ass of a customs agent that don't know squat!!!!! Having the form may be exactly what he wants to see.....lack of it could mean you have to argue and fight with this butthead.....

Regardless of the truth of value of the form..... GET IT FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE OVER $250....AND EVERY FIREARM REGARDLESS OF THE COST.....

The last thing I want is to fight with some dipshit in an airport who don't know shit!

Depending on the route to Africa you're taking you may need the 4457 BEFORE you leave. I'm flying through Amsterdam which requires paperwork just to transit guns through their airport. Some of the paperwork they require is a copy of your 4457. I faxed mine there yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to get my authorization forms back today. On my last trip it took about a week.

quote:

The 4457 is meant to stop you from bringing back a gun into the US that you didn't leave with.

It is suppose to protect you from having to pay import duty on your own stuff you took from the US.

In typical bureaucrat fashion, the Custom Agent may try to bluff you into thinking that it is required but it's not.

I usually take one to avoid the hassle, but have many times argued the point, for fun. They eventually backed off because they have no legal ground.

I did have one Customs guy one time at the local Customs office disappear for a bit, which I am assumed was to check serial numbers. My impression at the time was that he was trying to look important and of some usefulness. Ha!